Cup depressor



F. T. MOSER CUP DEPRESSOR Oct. 21, 1952 Filed March 2, 1949 INVENTOR FRANK T. MOSER ATTORNEY 3 syrup or to apply a closure plate to its open upper end.

The elevating movement of the member 16 may be effected in the usual manner as by a cam 25 mounted for rotation on an elongated shaft 22.

During the lowering movement of the elevating member [6 the filled cups l2 may not be lowered simultaneously with the elevating member I6 for the reason that a'semi-frozen continuous column of ice-cream mix may extend from the nozzle Hi to the cup that will be sufiiciently strong to support the cup and retain the cup in its elevated position after the elevating member it has completed its downward movement. Resilientmeans are therefore provided to urge the cup'downward simultaneously with the downward movement of the member l6. These means may comprise a body member 24 having a base 25 secured in any convenient manner as by screws 26 in fixed position to the elevating member [6 for vertical movement therewith. slidably mounted for vertical movement relative to this body member 24 is the retaining or clamping member 28. This member 28 is guided bymeans of a central post or plate forming part of thebody member 24 and is normally retained in its lowermost position by means of alight helical spring 30 the ends of which are attached respectively to the body member 24 and retaining member 28.

At the upper portion of the member 28 are provided two spaced rearward extending portions 32 adapted to fit over the upper edge of the cup. In the lower position of a cup the arms 32 are slightly above the upper edge of the cup [2. The lateral lower portions 29 of the retaining member 28 extend beyond the sides of the elevating member 16. In the lower position of the member 28, therefore, these ends 29 rest on the fixed or bench portion of the filling machine Ill. This lower position of the member [6 holds the member 28 raised above the body member 24 so that thereis ample room for the cups [2 to pass below the projections 32. As soon as the member l6 starts torise, however, the body 24 also rises but the member 28 does not immediately begin to rise but remains in place until the projections 32 engage the cup. After this engagement the body member 24 and the member 28 rise together and maintain a constant light pressure against the cup I2. As soon asthe member I6 starts its downward movement the cupv [2 follows this downward movement forthe reason that the force of spring 30 is exerted on the cup by the projections 32 to hold the cup against the elevating member [6. As soon as the member It approaches its lowermost position-the cup I2 becomes disengaged from the arms 32 and is free to move with the bands [8 to its next operative position. This is for the reason that the lateral portions of member 28 again engage the fixed or bench part of the machine and prevent further lowering of rearward extensions 32.

I claim as my invention:

' 1; In a cup filling machine for ice-cream having cup advancing means and an elevating member 4 therefor, a body member having a base fixed to said elevating member, a member on said body member and movable vertically relatively thereto, and horizontally extending projections on said slidable member, whereby when said cup is raised its lower position on said base, and means on said.

slidable member engaged by the upper edge of said cup when said cup is moved to its upper position.

3. A resilient cup retainer for ice-cream filling machines comprising, a cup elevating member, a member mounted in fixed position thereon having a member slidably mounted thereon and having portions engaged by said cup when said cup is raised to its filling position, and a spring having its ends attached respectively to the body member and slidable member, whereby when said cup is lowered by movement downward of the elevating member the cup is resiliently urged downward and maintained in contact with the elevating member.

i. A filling machine for ice-cream cups having a cup elevatingmember below the filling machine nozzle, a body member mounted on and movable with said elevating member, and a member slidably mounted on said body member having lateral extensions engaging fixed portions of said machine when said elevating member is in its lowest position, said slidable member being normally forced in a position toward its body member, whereby when said elevating member is raised said slidable member will move relative to its body member and engage the upper edge of said cup.

5. A resilient cup retainer for ice-cream filling REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 956,286 Champ Apr. 26, 1910 2,121,065 Anderson June 21, 1938 

